Balkans

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbɔːl.kÉ™nz/, /ˈbÉ’l.kÉ™nz/
• US IPA: /ˈbÉ‘l.kÉ™nz/, /ˈbÉ”l.kÉ™nz/

Origin

Of origin. Compare Turkish balkan ("wooded mountain range").

Full definition of Balkans

Proper noun

1. A geographical region in the southeast of Europe, roughly equivalent to the area covered by Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Kosovo, Croatia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece and sometimes Romania.
• 2002 — Dennis P. Hupchick, The Balkans: From Constantinople to Communism, p104As the Ottomans' victories in the Balkans multiplied, increasing numbers of Anatolian warriors flocked to their ranks, and their territorial conquests grew.

Usage notes

Used with the definite article the.

Synonyms

• (geographical region) Balkan Peninsula

Derived terms

• Balkan
• Balkanism
• Balkanize

Related terms

• Balkanic
• Balkanian
• Paleo-Balkan